Dogged by the "black dog"? Are you depressed?

depression

noun

de·​pres·​sion di-ˈpre-shən  

: an act of depressing or a state of being depressed: such as

: a state of feeling sad: low spirits : MELANCHOLY

specifically : a mood disorder that is marked by varying degrees of sadness, despair, and loneliness and that is typically accompanied by inactivity, guilt, loss of concentration, social withdrawal, sleep disturbances, and sometimes suicidal tendencies 

The above definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary does not even come close to explaining how debilitating depression can be when it takes a grip of one’s life.

According the CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association), approximately 20% of Canadians experience mental illness at some point in their lives.  Around 8% of adults also suffer from major depression.

Referred to as the ‘black dog’ by Sir Winston Churchill, depression can be all encompassing, making us feel like a perpetual sense of doom or hopelessness follows us around.  Life feels dull, food tastes bland and very little around us feels fulfilling or worthwhile. 

Depression is not just sadness, it can also evoke a feeling of despair and emptiness.

Signs of depression can include the following:

·         Loss of interest in activities formally enjoyed

·         Weight change or loss of appetite

·         Reckless behavior

·         Harsh self-talk/self-criticism

·         Aches and pains

·         Lack of energy (can feel like you are walking with “lead boots”)

·         Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much

·         Feeling helpless or hopeless

·         Concentration issues

It can also show up in ways that we do not immediately recognize as depression, for example, anger, restlessness or aggressive behavior.

Some people can suffer from a type of “low-grade” depression known as Dysthymia and although the symptoms are not as strong as major depression the feeling of a “continuous low mood” which lasts for at least a couple of years can seriously impede your ability to live a full life.

‘Seasonal Affected Disorder’ which is a seasonal form of depression lasting during the winter months due to a lack of sunlight.

Major depression is a depression that lasts for approximately six months or longer.

Depression is also dangerous as it is a major risk factor for suicide.

You may have already sought support from close friends and family members; worked on various methods of making changes to your lifestyle and examined emotional skills without success.  In is extremely important to seek help from a mental health professional as there are many effective treatments available.

When a client comes to me with depression, we explore the ways in which depression is showing up in their life, the feelings associated with it and how it is affecting their behavior.

My goal as your counsellor is to equip you with tools to enrich your life on a daily basis, to gradually pull back the dark clouds and let glimpses of sunshine break through.  

Nobody can guarantee a lifetime of joy, but it is possible to overcome depression by learning new skills and using tools to help elevate your mood and reclaim your life.